The Lincoln Education Association on Tuesday endorsed the Lincoln Public Schools’ proposed $250 million bond issue.

“Given the scope of this school bond, its passage would be a positive turning point in the history of public education in Lincoln," said Arlene Rea, LEA president.  LPS passed a resolution authorizing a special election for Feb. 14, asking voters to approve the bond issue.

The bonds — along with $64.6 million already available to the district — will be used to build two new elementary schools and one middle school, replace Arnold Elementary and make major improvments to Lincoln’s four older high schools. It also will pay for additions and renovations at numerous other schools.

Among the factors that persuaded LEA to support the bond election is that the bonds would be paid for without raising the tax levy.

 District officials say they would shift a 10.8-cent leve now used to generate money for indoor air quality projects to instead pay off the bonds.

Many of those indoor air quality projects would then be completed with the bond money.

LEA officials also noted that Lincoln needs up-to-date buildings and the LPS proposal includes improvements to schools across the district.

Rea, and other LEA representatives at a Tuesday press conference, were members of a citizen task force that made $408.9 million in recommendations to LPS on the building needs of the districts over the next 10 years.

The bond resolution is based on those recommendations, though it doesn’t include all of them. However, the Lincoln Board of Education also passed a 10-year facilities plan that includes the rest of the projects.
 

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